An Arctic Sanctuary: In Need of a Nordic Detox?
Escape to Manshausen in northern Norway for white beaches, sea kayaking, mountain walks and a peaceful four-day Arctic retreat surrounded by nature.
The daily grind is not quite what it used to be. While once we were able to log off and leave work behind for the day, technology has made it possible to stay connected almost everywhere. Even when we are travelling, it can be tempting to check an email, look at a map or reach for the phone instead of looking at what is around us.
Sometimes, the best answer is simply to go somewhere with very little reason to look at a screen.
On Norway’s northern coast, small islands, white beaches and high mountains create exactly that kind of setting. Manshausen is one of those places. It is a small island in Steigen, reached by fast ferry from Bodø to Nordskot and then a short boat transfer across the water.
I have travelled widely across northern Norway, and what I like about places such as Manshausen is that the landscape does most of the work. You don't arrive with a long list of sights to tick off. You arrive, settle into your cabin and decide what you feel like doing.
Manshausen was developed by Arctic explorer and author Børge Ousland, and its waterfront cabins make the most of the island's setting. The architecture is modern and understated, with large windows looking out across the surrounding sea and mountains.
There is something rather nice about waking up with that view and having nowhere you particularly need to be.
Life on Manshausen
Our White Beaches, Sea & Manshausen Island journey is a four-day independent escape from Bodø, with three nights on Manshausen.
The first afternoon is straightforward. Take the fast ferry from Bodø to Nordskot, meet the island team at the harbour and cross by boat to Manshausen. Once you have settled into your Sea Cabin, there is dinner and, depending on the season, perhaps a few more hours to sit outside and watch the light.
The following morning, the sea is your playground.
A guided four-hour kayak trip takes you around the islands and along the coast. You are provided with a single kayak, paddling equipment and a dry suit, as well as a lunch pack. The waters can be remarkably clear, and along the way there are white sandy beaches and small islands to explore.
Having a guide means you don't need to worry about working out a route yourself. You can concentrate on paddling, taking photographs and keeping an eye on the changing landscape.
The next day is for exploring on foot. The guided trek can be adapted to your interests and the conditions, with the Nordskot Traverse among the possibilities. After the walk, return to Manshausen for a warm lunch before having the rest of the afternoon to yourself.
That free time is important.
You could visit the Nordskot Coastal Museum or, during summer, stop by Gauva Bar. There are also options for fishing, diving, RIB boating and rock climbing if you want to keep moving. Or you can simply stay on Manshausen and enjoy the island.
A different kind of Arctic experience
The word Arctic can sometimes conjure up images of extreme expeditions and difficult conditions. Manshausen offers something quite different.
You can certainly make the experience as active as you like, but you don't have to. There are easy walks, kayaking, fishing and beachcombing, as well as more demanding treks and outdoor activities. The island works equally well for someone who wants to spend the day outside and someone who would rather read a book overlooking the water.
For me, this balance is one of the pleasures of travelling in northern Norway. The landscape can be dramatic, but enjoying it doesn't always require a demanding itinerary.
And then there is the light.
In summer, the Midnight Sun means the day seems to carry on long after dinner. In the darker months, the same remote setting can provide the chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right.
Either way, the weather is part of the experience. Outdoor activities may need to change depending on conditions, and the order of activities can vary. In northern Norway, it is always wise to leave a little room in your plans for nature to have the final say.
A place to stay, not just somewhere to sleep
The Sea Cabins are an important part of the Manshausen experience.
They sit directly on the waterfront and are designed to make the most of the surroundings. Rather than being somewhere you return to between activities, the cabin is part of the experience itself.
After a day kayaking or hiking, there is something particularly satisfying about coming back to a warm cabin, making a cup of coffee and looking out across the water.
Manshausen is also one of our luxury properties, although its idea of luxury is quite different from a traditional luxury hotel. Here, it is the combination of thoughtful design, a remarkable setting, privacy and access to the outdoors that makes the stay special.
You don't need to fill every hour. Some of the time can simply belong to the island.
Your Arctic escape from Bodø
After your final night, an early ferry takes you back to Bodø. If you have more time, you can also ask us about continuing from Nordskot towards the Lofoten Islands.
The journey is only four days, but it gives you a chance to experience a very different side of northern Norway: remote islands, clear water, white beaches, mountain landscapes and a place where the day's plans can be as simple as walking, kayaking, eating well and watching the light change.
Perhaps that is the real luxury of Manshausen. Not having more to do, but having the time and space to decide what you want to do next.
Explore White Beaches, Sea & Manshausen Island.
About the author
Satu Vänskä-Westgarth is Director of Product at 50 Degrees North. Finnish, and living in Norway for close to 20 years, she has worked across the travel industry from raft guiding and travel writing to product strategy, and designs the company's Nordic journeys around authentic, local experiences. A keen photographer, she travels widely across the north, from Lofoten to the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Read more about Satu.